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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQ
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How do I know if I need hearing aids?
Many people with hearing loss, whether conductive, sensorineural or mixed start to notice their hearing deteriorating when they:
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Start asking their family and friends to repeat what they are saying
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Feel people around them are mumbling and not talking
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Have trouble hearing on the phone
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See people complaining that they are turning the TV volume up too high
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Hear sometimes ringing, roaring, hissing, buzzing or clicking sounds in their ears
Getting your hearing tested is the first step. Your audiologist will test your hearing through hearing tests to determine if you have some type of hearing loss and accordingly specify the right hearing aid that suits your condition.
2. Will a hearing aid restore my hearing back to normal?
Do not expect perfection. Hearing aids do not restore the natural functioning of the ear. They are not a cure, but rather a method of correction. They can make speech easier to be understood and assist in making things easier to hear. They help you hear again by boosting your ear’s volume levels. They increase your awareness of sounds around you by amplifying sounds you have trouble hearing.
3. How long does it take to get used to hearing aids?
Getting used to hearing aids depend on each person’s experience. Hearing aids allow us to hear sounds our ear stopped to hear because of hearing loss. Relearning how to hear them again takes place in the central auditory system. The brain takes its time to sort out all the information it’s receiving.
It might take few months sometimes to get accustomed to the new hearing aids. If it’s the first time you wear hearing aids, the first two weeks are the most important. Be patient and try to wear them through all waking hours to get used to them.
4. If I have hearing loss in both ears, is it necessary to wear hearing aids in both ears?
Yes, wearing hearing aids in both ears is better. It has been proven that the brain receives sound in better from both ears and uses this sound to determine the direction of it. Sometimes, wearing only one might alter the direction of sound, making it difficult to localize it.
Read to know more in details about Hearing Loss & Hearing Aids.
5. Why are hearing aids expensive?
Hearing aids, with their high-tech chips and processors, are like computers you wear on your ears. Due to modern technology, hearing aids include many features such as Bluetooth connectivity, rechargeability, level of amplification needed, lifestyle choice, small designs, speech recognition, and remote control. All of this cost.
Part of the cost is also spent on research and development, which is needed to keep updating and improving the technology powering the hearing aids. The rest of it is spent on fitting and dispensing fees, adjustments, customization, warranties, aftercare and future appointments.
6. What style/type of hearing aid should I wear?
Your audiologist can help you choose the right and best quality hearing aid. They will base their choice on your degree of hearing loss, the level of hearing loss, the size and shape of your ear canal, the shape of your ear from the outside, your flexibility and ability to place and adjust the device easily, and on any extra features you need that might help in your condition.
7. How do I take care of my hearing aids?
There are different methods to clean your hearing aids, depending on the style and shape. Proper cleaning and care help it work properly and avoid the need for continuous repairs.
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Keep your hearing aids away from heat or moisture/humidity.
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Replace dead batteries on a regular basis.
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Avoid using hair products when wearing them.
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Turn the hearing aids off when not using them.
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Clean them regularly and remove earwax or debris with a soft and clean cloth.
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Store them in safe, dry places away from children and pets.
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Schedule routine checkups with the audiologist in audiology centers for more professional cleaning.
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Wash hands before using them.
8. What should I consider when buying a new hearing aid?
A medical examination is requested before buying a new hearing aid. A hearing test helps the audiologist diagnose the hearing loss and answer all the questions that come to your mind. Since styles, brands and prices vary, several questions are
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Which type will best work for my type and degree of hearing loss?
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How much do they cost?
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Do they have a warranty? Does it cover repairs and maintenance?
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What digital features and services do they include?
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Should I get rechargeable hearing aids?
Read to know more in details, while buying a new Hearing Aids.
9. Are there any side effects of wearing hearing aids?
The answer is no. Your hearing aids should be comfortable when you wear them. There shouldn’t be any pain, soreness, skin irritation or bleeding. If there is, you should remove them directly and contact your audiologist immediately.
When complaining from itchy ears, your health care provider or audiologist can help you fix and adjust it.
Read to know more in details about effects of wearing Hearing Aids.
10. How do hearing aids work?
Hearing aids include three parts: the microphone, the amplifier and the speaker. First, the microphone receives natural sounds and converts the sound waves into digital, electrical signals. It sends them to the amplifier. The amplifier increases the strength and power of these signals. Finally, the speaker produces the amplified sound in the user’s ears.
Read to know more in details about How Hearing Aids Work.
11. Do hearing aids help tinnitus?
Yes, it helps people suffering from tinnitus in most cases. It makes them less aware of their tinnitus symptoms and it improves communication by reducing and eliminating annoying sensations that loud sounds produce through ‘masking them’. It shifts their attention away from tinnitus so they can focus on more important sounds. There are many therapies and strategies that act as treatment methods for tinnitus. These allow the user to hear background noises, reduce their stress levels, and use wireless media streaming and apps to create a sound-enriched environment that minimizes tinnitus symptoms.
12. Does hearing loss affect old people only?
This is a big misconception. Hearing loss can occur at any time during your lifetime and at any age from birth to senior years. It could affect newborn babies, infants, pre-school and school-age children also. People between the ages of 20 to 60 also can suffer from hearing loss. It can happen by sudden noise or constant exposure to loud noises over long periods of time. It could also happen because of different health conditions, specific medication you take and heredity factors.
Read to know more in details about Hearing Loss affect to old people.
13. What causes hearing loss?
Some common risk factors affecting our hearing are:
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Genetics and heredity
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Aging or Presbycusis
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Exposure to loud noises
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Medical conditions
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Ototoxic medications
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Trauma in the head or ears
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Viral infections and other ear infections
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Meniere’s disease
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Wax buildup
Read to know more in details about Causes of Hearing Loss.
14. How is hearing loss diagnosed?
Your audiologist will request a physical exam or a hearing test. They will check for signs of infections or any other issue causing hearing loss.
To do the hearing test, an audiogram is performed. The test measures:
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How well you hear low-pitched and high-pitched sounds
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The degree of hearing loss: normal, moderate, severe, or profound hearing loss
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The type of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural, and mixed
15. How is hearing loss treated?
Hearing loss is managed and treated depending on the type and degree of hearing loss. They include:
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Hearing devices
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Hearing aids
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Cochlear implants
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Medications
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Surgery- placing ear tubes in the eardrum
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Hearing rehabilitation- using visual cues and lip reading to enhance communication
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Listening assistive devices- make hearing easier on the telephone, TV or computers
Read to know more in details about Hearing Loss Treatment.
16. How can I prevent hearing loss?
There are steps that you can take to lower the risk of hearing loss. Adapting a healthy lifestyle can help in protecting your hearing.
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Limit the exposure to noises and loud sounds in places and activities.
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Use hearing protection- wear sound-reducing earplugs, earphones or earmuffs.
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Lower the volume when using electronic devices, toys, or power tools like saws and drills.
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Remove earwax properly.
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Have your hearing regularly tested.
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Be aware of drugs and medications that cause hearing loss.
Read to know more in details about How to Prevent Hearing Loss.